Picture Perfect
Inspiration can strike anywhere, scrolling through social media or watching a late-night renovation show. These seemingly casual moments are powerful tools to help define your personal style and vision for your space. Today, more tech-savvy homeowners are turning to platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to collect ideas and craft mood boards, making collaboration with designers and builders easier than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a humble lover of design, join Melbourne Home Design + Living’s Josephine Day as she chats with Brad Chugg, Director and Head Designer at Roseleigh Homes, to explore how social media is shaping the future of home building.
Founded by Chugg’s parents in 1982, Roseleigh Homes is a proudly family-owned and –operated business, with a customer-centric approach, putting clients at the heart of everything it does. “From the beginning, it’s always been a family-run business built on strong values of quality, craftsmanship, integrity and genuine customer care. My brother Craig and I have been involved from an early age, spending time both on site and behind the scenes. This experience has helped us understand not just how homes are built, but what it really takes to build them well,” Chugg explains.
“What sets Roseleigh Homes apart is the depth of experience we bring, not just as owners, but as builders who’ve been part of the process from the ground up. This long-term, practical knowledge informs every decision we make. It’s what enables us to consistently deliver homes that aren’t just beautiful, but built with real care, precision and a commitment to long lasting quality,” he continues.
FROM MOOD BOARD TO DRAWING BOARD
From scrolling through Pinterest or TikTok, home design inspiration can be found virtually anywhere. Whether you’re saving an image you love or adding it to a folder filled with your favourite styles, these small moments enable you to visualise your future space more clearly.
Chugg and the team at Roseleigh Homes report that clients often arrive to consultations with images of spaces, materials and styles they’ve collated from social media that they’d love to recreate. “It’s a fantastic starting point,” Chugg explains. “These images help clients explore a wide range of ideas, not just what’s trending or happening in their area, but what speaks to their personal taste. As a custom builder, we draw inspiration from anywhere and tailor it to suit each individual home.”
Whether it’s selecting materials, a colour palette, layout, or a standout design feature, these images help Chugg understand what clients want to achieve – marrying visual appeal with a home that is functional and livable. “Once we’ve clarified the look and feel they’re after, I translate this into a cohesive design that aligns with their lifestyle and budget, while also considering practical elements like build feasibility or code requirements. It’s about taking something that’s purely visual and breaking it down into real-life components,” he describes.
Unsure where to begin? To help get you started, Chugg shares a few design elements that are currently trending. “Lately, we’ve seen a strong demand for design features like arches, curves and organic shapes. Interestingly, many of these ideas were already integrated into our Audrey Display Home, which we built back in 2020. That home featured arched hallways, a curved wall leading into the kitchen, arched windows and finishes like travertine and natural stone, which are only now becoming more mainstream.” Other popular features include statement lighting, natural stone, textured finishes, exposed beams and bold colours.
THE DELICATE ELEMENTS
So, what happens if your dream home design feels out of reach? Whether your project is big or small, open and transparent communication with your builder is essential. Understanding what elements are achievable within your budget and lifestyle is the first step to creating a home that’s both beautiful and practical. As Chugg explains, “managing expectations is a key part of the design process, especially when there’s a gap between a client’s inspiration images and what’s achievable.”
His role as a designer begins with understanding exactly what clients love about an image, and from there, he offers creative and realistic alternatives that maintain the desired look all while aligning with their needs. “It’s all about open, honest conversations early on. I always reassure clients that even if we need to adapt or rework certain features, we can still achieve a stunning result that reflects their style and desired look for their new home.”
One of the most important aspects of turning inspiration into reality is material selection. “While photos can provide great visual inspiration, the materials you choose are what truly bring a design to life – they add texture, depth and personality that can’t be fully captured in an image,” Chugg notes. From the warmth of timber to the sophistication of stone or the minimalism of concrete, the right materials create depth, texture and personality. Striking the perfect balance between beauty and performance is key. “It’s this careful curation that transforms a beautiful Pinterest image into a real, livable space.”
SCROLL, SAVE, STYLE
Recently, Chugg has observed among modern homeowners a growing desire to replicate specific design elements, particularly feature walls and innovative kitchen layouts.
“Feature walls have become increasingly popular with our clients,” he shares. “In our latest display home, the Alma, we have showcased a micro-cement wall that’s really resonated with visitors through the display. It adds a unique touch and visual interest to what might otherwise be a standard wall whilst still being subtle and blending into other elements in the home.” In kitchens, functionality is just as crucial as style. With many homeowners owning larger appliances, Chugg explains that there’s a strong demand for layouts that offer generous bench space and clever storage solutions. “We often incorporate integrated appliances to maintain a sleek, seamless look that’s both practical and stylish,” he adds.
With so many styles and trends to choose from, the process can feel overwhelming. It is important that homeowners stay true to themselves. Start with what speaks to you and from there everything else will fall into place. While creativity and exploration are key, Chugg also advises keeping everyday living in mind when selecting materials and design features. For those just starting their design journey, visiting display homes is a valuable first step. “Seeing spaces up close can make a huge difference in how you visualise your own home, and if you’re unsure, ask us!” he says. “We’ve designed and built so many homes over the years, chances are we’ve seen or done something similar and can help guide you through the decision-making process with confidence.”
Images courtesy of Roseleigh Homes.